Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
CHAPTER ONE
NOT A VACATION
•••
"But I want Donghyuck oppa!"
Throughout the mansion, a young girl's high pitched screams could be heard. She let out a dramatic sob, clinging onto a blond's leather jacket. She refused to part with him, even when another male tried to pry her off of him.
"No! I want Donghyuck! I love him!"
"Honey, you just met me," the blond scoffed, pushing her off of him. She stumbled backwards into a black haired male's arms. He held her tightly as she struggled in his arms.
"But I love you!"
Donghyuck rolled his eyes. Girls have no idea what love is these days. One look at a guy and they're so "in love".
Mark tried not to vomit as he escorted the young girl out the store. She yanked her wrist out of his grasp, mouth open in horror. "How dare you? I want to buy him!"
"Sorry, I'm not for sale," the blond shot her a fake grin.
"Everyone here is for sale! I want you!" The girl turned to Mark, crossing her arms over her chest. "I would like to purchase that boy!"
"Uh, he refuses to be owned by you, Miss Eunhee," Mark said, praying the girl wouldn't lash out at him (again).
"But I'm the customer! Customers are always right!"
"No, you're crazy. Get some help," Donghyuck smiled deceivingly sweetly. "Mark, get her out."
She glared at him, but never got her way. Mark pulled the girl out the store, shutting the door behind him. The brat put up quite a fight, but Mark managed to push her out and slam the doors shut before she could rush back in.
The blond scoffed. "If another clingy brat tries to get her hands on me, I'm gonnaㅡ"
"Hyuck, you can't keep chasing away every girl that shows an interest in you," the black haired male told him, sighing. Mark hadn't changed since last year. He was still the boy who was determined to get his best friend a partner. Unfortunately, Donghyuck wouldn't co-operate.
Donghyuck dusted his jacket, throwing a glare at the older boy. "Pretty sure I can, Mark. This was your idea. I never said I'd go through with it."
"I know a lot of girls have been. . .crazy, but one day a really sweet girl is going to show interest in you. Will you reject a girl that wants the best for you?" Mark asked softly.
Donghyuck placed his hands on his hips. "How could she want the best for me when she doesn't know me, Mark? This is crazy. Renjun and I think this is crazy."
"Renjun is different. And the others don't see it that way. Jeno likes it here. So does Jaemin. Even Jisung and Chenle," Mark said.
"Because they wanted to be here. You dragged me into this," the younger sighed. Donghyuck still couldn't believe how he was forced into this madness. He did argueㅡ hell, he arguedㅡ but it was no use when his parents had already decided. They sided with Mark, believing their son needed time away from his dreams.
Donghyuck didn't understand.
It wasn't like it was an unhealthy addiction to drugs. It was just his dream. All he ever wanted was to perform. His parents were the ones who enrolled him in dance classes when he was a little boy, so why would they be against it now? Dancing was his hobby. Now he wanted to take it to the next level. However, he clearly wouldn't receive any support from his best friend and parents.
"It was either this or listen to you complain about how sad you are," Mark told him.
Donghyuck raised an eyebrow, "Why would I be sad? You don't think I would have made it?"
Mark shook his head, then lowered it. "I know you would. But that means handling the pressure of being an idol heck, even just a traineeㅡ and dealing with a whole lot of shit from companies. I told you this before."
The blond frowned. He knew his best friend was just looking out for him. He appreciated Mark's concern, but this was going too far. He had told Mark on numerous occasions that he wanted to at least try. If it didn't work out, he'd be fine. But not trying hurt him even more than trying and failing would. If he got in, he could handle being a trainee. He could handle anything if he could bear being stuck in this stupid store all day.
And he told Mark this.
However his reply was the same as always. "Hyuck, you're in good hands here. I trust Taeyong hyung more than anyone else. He designed this place to be a paradise. It's like a free and permanent vacation!"
Mark was right.
When Taeyong had the idea to build the place, he intended it to be like a resort. It wasn't a store. Boys weren't kept in rooms or left on racksㅡ that would be illegal and horrible. The owner built an indoor paradise with the finest interior. Swimming pools, gaming rooms, the best dining rooms? Taeyong had thought of it all. The store was the size of a mansion. A giant house for a giant family. A perfect home.
But not to Donghyuck.
"The difference is that I'm not enjoying this vacation," Donghyuck rolled his eyes.
